Quote Originally Posted by Varlan View Post
Anyone have any good ideas where to get some information on decent red mage gear? I looked a couple of posts in this thread, but I'm doing some looking around now and some direction would be good.
Okay, I might be able to help more now, since I'm not super tired. It is definitely not a complete list, but it might be able to help a little. For the most part I left out enhancing magic gear, which helps enspell damage and Magic Attack Bonus which can help certain weapon skills. Additionally, this is mostly melee focused, so if you need to tank something while hitting, this list won't be the most helpful, and if you want to cast powerful spells, this won't be the most helpful either. Keep that in mind.

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Weapon: Assuming that you don't want to put the effort into a Relic/Mythic/Empyrean or even the fake empyrean weapons, at least at this time, you'll have a few choices.

Before 75, if you plan on hitting things (instead of Staff swapping and nuking), your best choice is probably a Blau Dolch dagger (which you can buy) in your main hand and a Joyeuse sword in your offhand, while subbing either Ninja or Dancer.

At higher levels you will be able to do the Magian Trials for Sword. You can use these to get a few nice things, like a STR/Attack Sword, or something with stats you might like more.

At this point, you can either continue mainhanding a Dagger (while possibly upgrading to a Clement Skean or a Twilight Knife for Evisceration and Aeolian Edge at high levels, or a Sword (upgrades will probably be the Runic Anelace which you can buy, or a ton of even better Swords you can't) for Savage Blade and (if your sub is PLD, BLU, DRK, WAR) Sanguine Blade.

If you want to use a Sword, subbing Dark Knight for Sanguine Blade is probably your best bet (alternatively, Warrior), but then you'll need a Shield. If you want to just buy one from the AH, your best bet is probably a Psychist Shield (kinda new, so limited availability), a Blume Buckler, or a Tariqah +1. That said, farming for a Genbu's Shield isn't that hard and you will only need another mage or two to help you take down Genbu, or if you don't mind hard work, a Muse Tariqah from doing Zeni NMs.

Don't underestimate your Dagger, since Red Mage gets better native access to Dagger weapon skills, freeing your sub up for Dual Wield access.

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Head: Something with Haste during TP, such as the Walahra Turban (easy to get, miniquest), Brisk Mask (leach a Glavoid kill, they'll usually give it to you), or Zelus Tiara (much harder, but the most haste). If you are worried about Accuracy, an Optical Hat, Issen Hachimaki, or Kensho Hachimaki can help.

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Body: Goliard Saio, ACP Body, are the common choices.

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Back: Atheling Mantle is probably the best piece you can get (it isn't too hard), but if you are dead set on being able to buy one, either a Vimukti Mantle or Vellaunus' Mantle will suffice, but won't be quite as amazing.

Your AF3 cape increases duration or spells, which may also help.

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Belt: Headlong Belt 3% Haste, Swift Belt 4% Haste, Goading Belt 5% Haste, 5 Store TP.

For accuracy, a Life Belt or a Virtuoso Belt (easy camp) can help.

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Hands: Dusk Gloves +1 are the one I commonly hear mentioned for Red Mage. If you don't mind farming a bit, there are a new pair of gloves in Dynamis called Alucinor Mitts.

And although they are more casting oriented, Eradico Mitts can help your Aeolian Edges out, or Sanguine Blade.

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Neck: For accuracy, Peacock Charm, Chivalrous Chain, Ziel Charm, Fortitude Torque (Sword), Love Torque (Dagger).

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Ear: Brutal Earring and Suppanomimi.

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Ring: Rajas Ring, still the best melee ring, from level 30 on. Keen Ring and Spiral Ring buyable.

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Legs: Calmecac Trousers are something I've seen suggested. You can also get augments for the ASA legs (probably Haste and double attack). Prince's Slops for accuracy.

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Feet: I've heard Dusk Ledelsens +1 mentioned, but the new Eurus' Ledelsens have slightly more Haste, albeit a different downside.

Your AF3 boots augment duration like your cape, which makes them an important Macro piece.

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Again, this isn't a complete list, nor is a list going to tell you what stats you will value more. Find what stats you want and wear them. Play the style you have fun with.